FilMart: 'Angel Whispers,' 'Private Eyes' Take HAF Prizes

March 26, 2014|Patrick Frater | Variety

HONG KONG -- Film projects "Angel Whispers" and "Private Eyes" were named as winners of the HAF on Monday at the Hong Kong -- Asia Film Financing Forum.

"Angel Whispers" is a $1.5 million revenge tale by Hong Kong actress turned first-time director Carrie Ng. "Private Eyes" is a detective story where ordinary people get to use their special talents. It is directed by Chang Jung-chi ("Touch of the Light") from Taiwan. Chang has assembled half of the project's $5 million budget.

Other winners were: "The Solitary Pier" by another Taiwanese film-maker Jack Shih, which claimed the HAF Script Development Fund Award; "Love Is Speaking," by Shu Haolun from China, winner of the HAF/Fox Chinese Film Development Award; "Hip Hop Kabul," an Afghanistan-set documentary by Fazila Amiri; "Dead End," by India's Dev Benegal, winner of the Network of Asian Fantastic Film Award; and Zhao Liang's "Dust," winner of the newFushan Documentary Award.

The 12th edition of the project market, HAF presented a total of 23 features and 6 documentaries in search of finance and production partners. Market organizers whittled down the selection from some 300 submissions.